East Leeds, how bad is it really?

[arghhhmiddleage]

I'm thinking specifically of the York Dale development in Killingbeck. It ticks lots of boxes, but the crime stats and general reputation of that area don't look too good. I don't want to live in a middle class enclave, but I want to be able to walk around without getting mugged and wake up in the morning still in possession of the car.

Can anyone who knows Leeds better than I do come and talk to me about it?

[arghhhmiddleage]

Bump

[MissKeithLemon]

My dad lives immediately behind that development, Middle on the private estate accross from the estate

He was burgled two weeks ago whie on hols but to be fair, that is the only thing thats happened in years on his cul-de-sac.

I would say that the scrote bags from the big estate do target the nicer cars/houses from 'Killingbeck'. There is a reason the developers are saying Killingbeck too. They wouldn't shift those houses in Seacroft where they actually are
Also, don't much fancy that asda next door - its 24 hour most of the time. I know the development is on York road so you'd think traffice would be Ok, but I find it gets really clogged up at busy times. Can take half an hour just to get to A1 from there.

I'm not selling it well am I come to North Leeds instead... much nicer all round imo!

[Bunbaker]

I wouldn't live there either. I used to live in North West Leeds and then in Pudsey. Apparently East Leeds has the biggest council estate in Europe.

[BunnyLeBOOwski]

It's a no from me. That whole area of Leeds is rough imo.

Spent a brief stint in East End Park. Horrible place. Got burgled twice in the space of 4 months.

[Bunbaker]

Actually, Headingley has a higher burglary rate because it is chock full of students. It isn't a rough area but burglars like to "visit" student accommodation during the holidays.

[BunnyLeBOOwski]

There used to be a story about Headingley containing the most burgled street in the UK.

I was burgled when living there. Twice in Hyde Park. Car broken into in Armley.

Grrr.

[arghhhmiddleage]

Oh dear, that's not sounding good.

I know that North Leeds is very naice, but location wise it doesn't work for me at all. I need to be able to get in and out of the centre easily for work. And easy access to and from the south and east on a fri evening and Monday morning (will be either going home to Devon or to the boyfriends in East Yorks at weekends).

Any ideas?

[BunnyLeBOOwski]

Roundhay?

It's kinda on the east side of North Leeds. Can't imagine it'd be much less accessible than Killingbeck.

I'm in North Leeds and it's like a different city to my previous haunts I've named above. Naice indeed.

[CoolBananas]

I'm in North Leeds and would say its very easy to get into the city or onto the motorways to travel to where you need to. I moved here from the South East and love it.

[DameEnidsOrange]

Live down south now, but have lived and have relatives who still live in Harehills, Gipton and Seacroft - apologies to those who live there but it is not a nice place to live.

How about Oakwood, Roundhay or around Gledhow Valley Woods - they all used to be nice 5 years or so ago so assume they still are, without the expensive price tag of Shadwell and Alwoodley

[BikeRunSki]

I'd avoid East Leeds areas Killingbeck, Seacroft, Harehills etc for the reasons above and flood plain.

How about Crossflats, Garforth, Roundhay, Temple Newsam area? Mickelton, Methley? Could you go further east towards Selby, Sherburn in Elmet, Tadcaster?

Again, beware flood plain! Especially east of the M1/A1. Check potential addresses by sticking your post code in here.

[JemimaPuddle]

I'll go against the grain here. North East Leeds is not all bad.

I grew up in the nicest part of North Leeds (which is very lovely indeed) but when I wanted to buy my own place I simply couldn't afford it.

I have lived in North East Leeds for 12 years, I have never been mugged, had car stolen or broken into. For example I live 5 minutes walk from a well known celebs dad's house (he was well known too) so big expensive house. North east Leeds ain't all that bad. I love it here.

Having said all that I wouldn't live near York road especially Asda as South Seacroft is dire. My friend used to live down that way and was burgled a couple of times. They even tried to break in one afternoon by kicking her front door in, they knew she was there & had seen them but they carried on!

Further north (where I am) is nice as are parts of Whinmoor and Cross Gates & temple newsam. Colton is nice & just near the motorway.

[Spirael]

Have you considered West Leeds? Easy access to the M621 for getting onto the M1/M62 and there are good trains/buses to the centre of Leeds. Also opens up Bradford for work opportunities, excellent curries and cheap shopping.

Isn't as naice as North Leeds but isn't as bad as East Leeds. Pudsey in particular is lovely. Calverley/Rodley are nice and quaint but the transport links/shops aren't quite as good.

Farsley/Bramley/Armley/Stanningley are... Ok. They have a historical reputation but are a lot better than they used to be. I've lived in Bramley for 7 years, never been mugged and my car has always been intact and where I left it.

[PickledGerkin]

We live within 10 minutes of the M62/M1 junction so South West Leeds, we deliberately chose this for its proximity to the motorways.

We started looking at North Leeds but to be honest the ring road gets slammed (recently went to Harrogate on a Friday and came out before 4pm but it was hell on earth to get back here)

Have you children and schools to consider?

Commuting into Leeds used to take DH about 20 minutes, it all depends if you intend to drive/go by train/bus.

[Bunbaker]

I would second the suggestion for the Pudsey area. I used to commute to Sheffield and Wakefield from Pudsey and it didn't take long to get to the M62 from Pudsey via Tong and Drighlington. Pudsey also has a railway station so a train commute to Leeds would only take about 10 minutes.

[arghhhmiddleage]

Sorry for taking so long to come back, had a couple of busy days.

Thanks for the ideas everyone, I'll take a look at all those places.

There are no children or schools to consider, just me. I need to use public transport for work as there is nowhere to park there (LGI). I'd prefer train, or at least a route with a bus lane - I've seen the rush hour traffic

I'm still concerned about access to and from the north of Leeds. I want to be able to get home from work on a Friday evening, throw a bag in the car and head either south or east. I just can't see how I can do that from the north or west without sitting in a traffic jam for hours? Similarly for getting back on a Monday morning.

PickledGherkin - your area sounds like it might be doable. Can I ask if your DH's 20min commute was by car? Do you know how long it would take by bus, and how frequent the service is? Is there a train?

[Pizzaexpress2]

Do you mean the new flats to the side of Asda?
I work in that area and to be honest it is very mixed. The new flats where killingbeck hospital was are full of young working couples.
East Leeds does have a bad rep but I have found worse places.
Cross gates is quite nice also. Great access to centre of Leeds and LGI from Yorkdale. I would consider it if I didn't have schools to think of.
Honestly, I have a lot of experience of this area and would not be put off. If you were really snobby then you wouldn't be looking at this area but it would make great economic sense.
There is also a plan to build a massive load of new houses behind Seacroft hospital in the near future so this will again bring young families to the area.
Hth
Pm me if you need a bit more info.

[AlanMoore]

Look at South Leeds OP, lots of it is cheaper/nicer than east Leeds and the transport links are v good (motorways in particular).

Don't be put off by snobs!

[TheOnlyPersonInTheDarkDarkRoom]

I second South Leeds. Morley for example has excellent M62 access and is a decent enough place to live. You could also look at Crossgates, Roundhay or further out towards Wakefield if you're so inclined eg Tingley, East Ardsley, West Ardsley.

[arghhhmiddleage]

Yes it was those flats Pizza. The development itself is nice, lots of trees and some green areas, but the surrounding area has put me off.

Ill have a look at Morely and other south areas. Is Cross Gates ok?

[housesalehelp]

I know someone who lived in Crossgates and I visited a few times - seems ok

[Loshad]

yes I'd skip those flats, but if want to be in that sort of area then go for crossgates or colton. Colton in particular is very handy for motorways. It is not a pretty north leeds village but has plenty of other benefits.

[Mrsrobertduvallsaysboo]

I was born in Croggy in 1960 [grin ] and lived there till the early eighties. My dad lived there from 1950 till ten years ago.
The Manstons are nice, and there are some lovely roads near Manston Park.

[Pizzaexpress2]

Cross gates and Manston areas have some lovely streets. Quite leafy and lots of professional couples. Got an M & S food shop,good transport, close to motorways, range of shops at Colton including large Sainsburys.

[jimblejambles]

I have got a friend who lives in those flats. He loves it, he has never had any problems.
We used to live in Whinmoor and only problem we had was our wheelie bin got stolen once.